Luke 2:25 Commentary - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

25-35. The Nunc Dimittis; or Prophecy of Simeon.

As in the body of the Jewish population we have abundant evidence that the expectation in regard to the Messiah was, that he would be a warlike deliverer of the nation from the Roman yoke, so in the shepherds we have the representatives of the general class of the more spiritual. But in Simeon and Anna we seem to have representatives of the higher order of saints, whose views were fully enlightened by a study of the prophets and the influences of the divine spirit.

25. Name was Simeon Some able thinkers have supposed this to be Rabban Simeon, (father of the learned Gamaliel,) president of the council, a man of eminence and learning, and living at this time. As the Jews, nevertheless, celebrated both the father and son of Simeon, but say very little of him, it has been imagined that his fault may have been his acknowledgment of the infant Jesus as Messiah. To the objection that Luke would not have introduced so distinguished a personage with the words “there was a man,” etc., it is plausibly replied that Luke introduces his still more distinguished son Gamaliel with the words “there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee,” etc. Act 5:34. To the objection that Rabban Simeon was not a very aged man, it may be replied that it is not explicitly said that this Simeon was aged. The phrase “should not see death until,” etc., is essentially used of the apostle in Mat 16:28. The phrase “now lettest thou thy servant depart,” etc., might be used by any man of mature age, who feels that he has gained the goal of his earthly life. Anna’s extreme age is arithmetically stated; but it is outside the evangelist’s narrative only that we bear of “aged Simeon.”

Just In dealings towards men.

Devout Towards God.

The consolations of Israel Israel is a child of sorrow; but his consolations were to come in the Messiah.